Bank Street Underpass Multi-Use Pathway

[vtecyo]

This one seems to be flying under the radar - the NCC and city are apparently starting construction on a pathway under the south side of Billings Bridge in September - taking 8 to 10 weeks to complete.

http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/our-projects/bank-street-underpass-multi-use-pathway-project/

Background
This project was initiated because of cyclist and pedestrian safety concerns. Currently, there is no dedicated crossing for cyclists, and the intersection configuration does not allow for an upgrade to the at-grade crossing itself.

The proposed design provides a grade-separated crossing below Bank Street, adjacent to the abutment along the eastern shore of the Rideau River, greatly increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety. The proposed design also minimizes the impact to the Rideau River and the surrounding embankment.

Bank and Riverside Rendering (Southwest)
Bank and Riverside Rendering (Northeast)

The project will include:

• Three-metre-wide concrete multi-use pathway below the two-year high-water mark
• Three-metre-wide asphalt multi-use pathway above the two-year high-water mark
• New tie-in points to the existing multi-use pathway on Riverside Drive
• Concrete block retaining walls with limestone face texture
• Pedestrian handrail along the full length of the retaining wall

The existing multi-use pathway at the intersection will remain in place. As the Rideau River is prone to periodic flooding, the proposed grade-separated pathway will, on occasion, need to be closed temporarily. During such flooding events, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to approach Bank Street via the existing multi-use pathway and cross at the signalized intersection.

To allow equipment and materials to be moved to and from the site, temporary lane closures may occur from time to time over the duration of the project. Construction of the multi-use pathway is anticipated to last approximately 8 to 10 weeks. Traffic disruptions on both Bank Street and Riverside Drive will be kept to a minimum.

Next Steps
Construction is expected to begin in September 2018.

[kwoldtimer]

Good initiative, but very prone to flooding, no?

[AuxTown]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Good initiative, but very prone to flooding, no?

Given that adjacent professional building was under water earlier this year I would say yes

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Good initiative, but very prone to flooding, no?

That was my first thought. Knowing this, they'll probably build it in a way that it can't be damaged by flooding. The NCC seems very aware nowadays, as shown by the Voyageurs pathway news story a few weeks ago.

[lrt's friend]

This will definitely flood every year.

[TheBrain]

Originally Posted by vtecyo

... As the Rideau River is prone to periodic flooding, the proposed grade-separated pathway will, on occasion, need to be closed temporarily. During such flooding events, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to approach Bank Street via the existing multi-use pathway and cross at the signalized intersection.

They mention the flooding in the initial article.

I think it's great that they are doing it this way. Would I rather have a path that would never flood? Sure. But that would require a massive redoing of the whole intersection and bridge which would never happen. The solution they've chosen provides a safe passage for what is a deadly intersection ~11 months out of the year. I think it's a good compromise to get safe infrastructure done quickly.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by TheBrain

They mention the flooding in the initial article.

I think it's great that they are doing it this way. Would I rather have a path that would never flood? Sure. But that would require a massive redoing of the whole intersection and bridge which would never happen. The solution they've chosen provides a safe passage for what is a deadly intersection ~11 months out of the year. I think it's a good compromise to get safe infrastructure done quickly.

I suppose 5 years that they've been talking about it, is indeed quickly by NCC standards.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by TheBrain

They mention the flooding in the initial article.

From https://www.oldottawasouth.ca/news/item/5999-swallows-delay-underpass-construction

The existing multi-use pathway at the intersection will remain in place, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to cross when spring flooding forces the closure of the underpass.

Given that they know it will flood, they are hopefully building it in such a way that it will survive a flood.

I think it's great that they are doing it this way. Would I rather have a path that would never flood? Sure. But that would require a massive redoing of the whole intersection and bridge which would never happen. The solution they've chosen provides a safe passage for what is a deadly intersection ~11 months out of the year. I think it's a good compromise to get safe infrastructure done quickly.

Agreed.

[dougvdh]

Originally Posted by TheBrain

. . . The solution they've chosen provides a safe passage for what is a deadly intersection ~11 months out of the year. . . ..

7-8 months of the year - the MUPs that it connects to are snow storage from December to March, and it will flood in April (and sometimes early May).

[Catenary]

Clearing and grubbing for this project actually started back in May IIRC. The project was delayed until now for environmental reasons I believe.

Though the path will flood, the existing path will remain to access Bank Street and provide backup when needed, which is nice to see.

[danishh]

I really like this idea. Safety (and improved traffic flow for drivers) for 8 months of the year is better than just doing nothing. The 8 months its open will be the busiest months for ped/cycle traffic anyways.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by Catenary

The project was delayed until now for environmental reasons I believe.

There were some nesting barn swallows that delayed things. (http://www.capitalward.ca/index.php/ward-newsletter/latest/1906-may-2018#anchor6)

Construction is supposed to start this month; I haven't been by there in a couple of weeks.

[vtecyo]

This looks to be nearly complete - I'd guess within a week or two. There are still construction fences blocking the path - but it's paved and to my eye the only thing that looked unfinished was the landscaping.

Don't tell anybody... but I went around the fence and used it anyway...